David Chandler
About David Chandler
David Chandler serves as the Reactor Analysis and Modeling Team Lead at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he has worked since 2008. He holds a PhD in Nuclear Engineering and has made significant contributions to modeling and simulation methods at HFIR.
Work at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
David Chandler has been employed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) since 2008, serving as the Reactor Analysis and Modeling Team Lead. In this role, he oversees various projects related to reactor analysis and modeling. His responsibilities include leading neutronics analysis for the 238Pu production project and serving as the technical lead for the HFIR LEU conversion project. Chandler also chairs the ORNL HFIR neutronics working group and supports in-core irradiation research experiments at HFIR.
Education and Expertise
David Chandler holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a Master of Science (MS) in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Cincinnati - College of Engineering and Applied Science. He also earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Mechanical Engineering from the same institution. His educational background provides a strong foundation for his work in reactor analysis and modeling.
Previous Experience at Westinghouse Electric Company
Before joining Oak Ridge National Laboratory, David Chandler worked at Westinghouse Electric Company as a Core Design Engineer from 2005 to 2007. In this position, he contributed to core design projects, applying his expertise in nuclear engineering to enhance design methodologies and support operational efficiency.
Contributions to HFIR Projects
At ORNL, David Chandler has significantly enhanced modeling, simulation, and optimization methods at the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR). He leads the HFIR Futures Reactor Analysis and Modeling efforts, focusing on reactor upgrades to ensure sustained performance. Additionally, he serves as an executive committee member of the ORNL Nuclear Resources Analysis and Modeling Portfolio, known as ONRAMP.